Christmas Village at Bayou Bend

I love Christmas. It is my absolute favorite time of year. I love the family togetherness, finding the perfect gifts for loved ones, the food, Christmas carols, and especially the lights! Every year, I record all of the cheesy Christmas specials on tv and watch them. All of them. I don't care if I've seen it before - I will watch it as if it were the first time all over again. One thing I make sure to do is create as many happy memories with my family as possible - whether it's a gingerbread house decorating competition or singing Christmas carols at our church's Christmas Eve service. This also includes going to see as many Christmas lights as possible. Whether it's driving around in our car or visiting an elaborate display, we soak it all in.
This year, we went to a new Christmas light display called Christmas Village at Bayou Bend. It was fantastic! The smell of fresh gingerbread cookies and hot apple cider were in the air and thousands of LED Christmas lights were strung across the beautiful gardens.

Walking in from the parking lot, you cross their wooden bridge (which I'll admit is a little scary to walk across because it moves so much) which is intricately wrapped in beautiful white lights.

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After crossing the bridge, you enter the manicured gardens. Every shrub and bush is delicately wrapped with it's own set of lights - giving a very clean look to the already immaculate landscape.

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After you come through the gardens, you turn a corner and there it is - the crown jewel - Ima Hogg's (no joke, that's her real name) beautiful historic mansion. At over 11,000 square foot, this early 1900s home is massive! And projected across the front of it are beautiful winter colors and designs.

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Around the property, you'll find 8 reindeer hidden for the kids (and kids alike) to find. Don't worry, they have collars on them featuring their names so you'll know who is who.

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You won't believe your eyes when you walk around the grounds. The lights and colors are stunning!

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After checking out the grounds, the kids can take a train ride and what will they see? Rudolph and Santa's crashed sleigh!

For the adults, I would recommend doing the home tour. The kids probably won't be that excited about it, but it was really neat for us adults. It was basically a traveling theatrical performance. Room by room, you explore the bottom floor of the elaborate home where each room features an actor, singer, or performance that embodies the Christmas spirit. Sorry, photos aren't allowed in the home, so I guess you'll just have to go and experience that one yourself!